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Fundraising effort set to benefit police

OBSERVER Photo by Natasha Matteliano Fred's Food Service Company has planned a joint stag to raise money for the Fredonia and Dunkirk Police Departments. From left, Jake Berger, Fredonia patrolman and Randy Pike, Fredonia PBA President join Devin Jones, chef at Fred's, along with Dunkirk PBA President Matt Martinez and Dunkirk PBA Vice President Brian Dietzen.

Fred’s Food Service Co. in Fredonia is spearheading a combined Dunkirk and Fredonia Police Stag to be held in September, raising money for both departments.

Fred’s has catered the largest fundraising events for both the Fredonia and Dunkirk Police Departments for years now. The Fredonia Police Department stags have been catered by Fred’s for six years and Dunkirk’s for three years. Both of the departments decided to cancel their stags for this year due to the pandemic, so Fred’s chef wanted to do something about it.

“These two events have become a part of the social fabric of our two communities,” said Devin Jones, chef at Fred’s. “We want to help uphold this tradition for both the Dunkirk and Fredonia communities by combining the fundraising efforts of the two police departments into one large event while adhering to COVID-19 safety guidelines.”

Fred’s and Jones are planning this event to raise money for the departments and to show Fred’s “unwavering support” of local police men and women. “We hope people will join in our efforts by donating items from their establishments that will support the big event,” Jones said. “All the proceeds will be donated equally to the Dunkirk and Fredonia Police Departments and any donations will directly benefit each of the departments.”

Jones explained that the departments canceled their stags this year due to the pandemic, so they, not unlike any other businesses during these unprecedented times, are being negatively affected by it. These fundraising stags provide money for the police to buy more equipment, like bodycams, to help them serve. The money also goes towards other things the departments do, like donate money to families in need.

“I was brought up to always respect police officers, so this is a great way to show our support, especially during this time,” Jones said. “A lot of people are questioning how to perceive police officers right now and the more we can raise for them the better.”

The combined Dunkirk and Fredonia Police Stag event is planned fro Sept. 13 from 2 to 6 p.m. The event will be held in Dunkirk at Point Gratiot, in drive-through style. Donated by Fred’s will be rib dinners with “all the fixins” that will cost $20 a piece. Monetary and other donations are also being accepted before the event and can be dropped off to both police stations and to Fred’s directly. Other donations they are looking for are “big ticket” items for the raffle, which will be selling tickets for $10 each. There will also be a 50-50 at the event.

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